Story time is a highlight of the day for many families, and it should be! The family bonding time, vocabulary immersion, and shared experience of reading-aloud to children are hugely beneficial.

I know I’ve mentioned this book before, but in case you’re not fully convinced that reading to children (from prenatal through the teenage years) is a wonderful investment, read Jim Trelease’s The Read-Aloud Handbook. The first half of the book lays out the why’s to reading-aloud, complete with plenty of data to show the differences between kiddos (and the adults they become) who are/were read to and those who are/were not. The second half of the book is a helpful list of books to enjoy with your kids, with age guidelines and short summaries of the stories.

My list of my children’s favorites could go on and on, but for this installment of Read to Your Kids!, we’re going to focus on four children’s books that kids of all ages (and their parents) enjoy.

-After the Fall by Dan Santat

What happened to Humpty Dumpty after his infamous fall? Find out in this inspiring story about facing fears. We first learned of this story at our local library, and it is a favorite!

-One Cool Friend by Tony Buzzeo

My mother-in-law is an elementary teacher, so she often shares awesome stories, like this one, with us. Elliot is a proper young man who enjoys scholarly activities. A day at the aquarium with his dad is not spent at the crowded tide pool exhibit or jellyfish display. Elliot prefers the quiet of the penguin exhibit. Plush penguins are on sale in the gift shop, and when Elliot asks his dad for a penguin, they have differing ideas about his request. Your kids will laugh at Elliot’s adventures, and the ending will surprise the whole family.

-Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

You’ve probably seen this book, and perhaps its sequels. Bruce the grumpy bear becomes the victim of mistaken identity when the goose eggs he planned to cook hatch into goslings that are admittedly too cute to eat. What’s a bear to do when the pesky goslings refuse to leave him alone, even when he tries to fly them south in remote-control planes? Hilarious illustrations and a creative plot make this story a winner.

-Have You Seen My New Blue Socks? by Eve Bunting

This is a simple rhyming story about a forgetful, disorganized duck who lost his new blue socks. The illustrations, facial expressions on the animals, and overall goofiness of the situation (like finding a bunch of old purple socks on rocks) keep children interested.

I’d love for you to comment below with your favorite children’s stories. Happy reading!